Attack on abortion rights will harm regional women the most
Healthcare advocates and medical professionals are urging politicians to vote against changes to abortion laws that would reduce abortion access.
Greens spokesperson for Health Dr Amanda Cohn, a former regional GP and abortion care provider, said the proposed changes to abortion laws would have a devastating impact on women in regional areas, which have already been identified as ‘abortion deserts’.
The Abortion Law Reform Amendment (Sex Selection Prohibition) Bill 2025 is currently being debated in the NSW upper house.
“This bill is not really about sex-selective abortions, which the evidence shows is not happening in NSW,” Dr Cohn said. “Anti abortion campaigners are lobbying politicians to incrementally erode abortion rights.”
If the bill was successful, health practitioners could face criminal penalties of up to five years imprisonment for a poorly defined offence.
“Health professionals have told me they will not continue to provide abortion care if the laws are successful, as the uncertainty and risks are too great,” she said. “Practitioners shouldn’t be put in a position of being expected to doubt, interrogate, and police their patients.”
“This will have a devastating impact on regional communities where there is already limited access to abortion care. Sydney University research found that only three public hospitals across NSW provide routine abortion services, meaning most communities rely on private providers who are under no obligation to provide care.”
“Debating sex-selective abortions is a common tactic for anti-abortion campaigners to position themselves as on the side of women and girls and incrementally restrict abortion access,” Dr Cohn said.
The bill is opposed by key expert bodies and advocates for women's rights and women's health including Family Planning Australia, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, the Australian Medical Association (NSW), Women's Health NSW, the Women's Electoral Lobby, and Fair Agenda.
The bill was debated in the Legislative Council on 3 June 2026 and is likely to be debated again when Parliament next sits.
Dr Cohn encourages community members to contact their local state MP to advocate for upholding abortion rights in NSW.
Her full contribution to debate on the bill can be read here.